I think it depends on what you're getting. REI is very pricy for common or short-lifespan gear like hiking shorts - you can do much better with Backcountry or S

I think it depends on what you're getting. REI is very pricy for common or short-lifespan gear like hiking shorts - you can do much better with Backcountry or Sierra Trading Post. But for quality, long-lived gear (rope, tents, etc) you're not going to find it cheap anywhere at all. I usually end up comparing REI with Moosejaw + Activejunky, and it's a tossup which one will be cheaper. (If you haven't tried Activejunky, do. It's usually another 5-15% off while shopping through other sites.)